Saving history one piece at a time. Wood Bishop & Co.

Jeffrey R. · #1 02-05-2016, 08:47 PM

Wood Bishop & Co. Bangor ME 1851 In 1867 they bought the foundry belonging to Eastes & Whittier. I am not sure if Eastes & Whittier were makers of skillets and kettles as Wood Bishop & Co became known for, but there stoves and tinware were there best sellers. My question is this first skillet has two gate marks as you see. I am lead to believe that Wood Bishop & Co used someones skillet as a pattern for this skillet mold, was it Eastes & Whittier?
Clearly marked Wood Bishop & Co. Bangor M.E. The top gate mark is the one that was made in the pouring of this skillet as it is sharp. The second gate mark has been smoothed over from the patterned skillet. The skillet is a #8 single pour spout. Very nice feel to it.

The second skillet is marked Wood Bishop & Co. Bangor M.E., with the #12 upside down, also with the date 1889, with only a single gate mark. I am lead to believe that this might be there second skillet style, but not 100% sure. Also this skillet has 2 pour spouts, and is a #7. Very nice feel to it. Something has to be said for the early skillets.

Any info that you want to share, please do add. Thank you

Bonnie Scott · #2 02-05-2016, 09:30 PM

I am guessing this is the skillet you referred to in this post. I guessed it was a Wood Bishop but you never answered. That is real beauty, nice job cleaning it up.

http://www.castironcollector.com/for...ead.php?t=3125

Jeffrey R. · #3 02-05-2016, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonnie Scott

I am guessing this is the skillet you referred to in this post. I guessed it was a Wood Bishop but you never answered. That is real beauty, nice job cleaning it up.

http://www.castironcollector.com/for...ead.php?t=3125

Yes, you were right. I must have been caught up in the heat of things. Thank you. Two pieces hard to come by.

CharlieK · #4 02-07-2016, 12:08 AM

One would think that Wood & Bishop iron would be easy to find here in Maine, but the few skillets I've seen for sale are either cracked or warped. Roll pans are a bit more common, I've managed to acquire a pair.
Your W&B's look great, Jeff

Ty L. · #5 02-07-2016, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlieK

One would think that Wood & Bishop iron would be easy to find here in Maine, but the few skillets I've seen for sale are either cracked or warped. Roll pans are a bit more common, I've managed to acquire a pair.
Your W&B's look great, Jeff

I feel your pain. I live less than an hour from Sheboygan, WI. Home of Vollrath. I'd love to own a piece of local history but I have yet to see an actual piece of Vollrath CI at any of the nearby antique malls, consignment stores, or flea markets. It's not for a lack of trying. They just don't have any.

RickC · #6 02-07-2016, 01:40 AM

Jeffrey R., Show off....!!!! While I'm out here finding unmarked smooth bottom Wagner pieces, & three notch Lodges'. You're out there finding the cool stuff.

Nice work cleaning these up. Any before shots??

I can however say, that I wore shorts and a t-shirt today and I was comfortably warm.

MikeZ · #7 02-08-2016, 07:20 AM

Once again Jeff, some great finds!

Yours are the first 7 and dated W&Bs that I've seen. The most common by far are double spouted 8s. They're all just lovely, but as CharlieK noted, quite often found with cracks, being so light. Or maybe it's how they were handled through the ages by those of us living in the dark forests of Maine. Of the four I have, three have cracks, but all were in active use by their owners when I got them.

I can't speak as to the gate mark question, but I know there's a lot of variations. Unlike Jeff's, most I've seen have separations in the lettering. You'll see a variety of breaks in the Wood & Bishop Co (or Wood Bishop & Co) and generally, it's BAN GOR and M E. Always wondered why.

Here's the first 11 I've seen, that I cleaned for a neighbor. I know you shouldn't covet your neighbor's iron, but I can't help myself...

MikeZ · #8 02-08-2016, 08:24 AM

A p.s. here. The picture I posted isn't the size 11, looked all through the file for it, couldn't find it and used up the allotted time to edit my post. I should probably leave these things to the professionals.